The 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics recognized the fundamental work of Nikolay Basov in quantum electronics, specifically the development of masers and lasers.
Early Development and Academic Foundation
Born in Usman in 1922, Basov completed his secondary education in 1941 before attending the Kuibyshev Military Medical Academy. His service in the Red Army during the Second World War interrupted his studies until 1945, when he enrolled at the National Research Nuclear University. By 1953, he had earned a Candidate of Sciences degree while working at the Lebedev Physical Institute under Mikhail Leontovich and Alexander Prokhorov. He defended his Doctor of Sciences thesis, A Molecular Oscillator, in 1956.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Advancements in Quantum Electronics
In the early 1950s, Basov and Prokhorov established the theoretical framework for the molecular oscillator, constructing a device utilizing ammonia that became known as the maser. This work involved developing methods for population inversion using electric and magnetic fields. Following this achievement, Basov expanded his research into the creation of coherent light generators. By 1955, he designed a three-level laser, and by 1963, he successfully built a semiconductor laser with his colleagues. His later research included the proposal of disk lasers in 1966 and pioneering nonlinear theories regarding the coherent addition of laser sets.
Institutional Leadership and Political Engagement
Basov served as the director of the Lebedev Physical Institute from 1973 to 1988, maintaining his role as head of the quantum radiophysics laboratory until his death in 2001. Beyond his research, he held a seat as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. His international scientific presence was marked by memberships in numerous prestigious institutions, including the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Indian National Science Academy.
Fast facts
- Born: 1922, Usman
- Died: 2001, Moscow
- Nobel Prize in Physics: 1964
- Hero of Socialist Labour: 1982
- Burial site: Novodevichy Cemetery
- Academic degree: Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics
- Primary employer: Lebedev Physical Institute
Questions readers ask
What core invention is Basov best known for?
He is recognized for his fundamental work in quantum electronics, which led to the creation of the maser and the laser.
Did Basov hold political office?
Yes, he served as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union starting in 1974.
